News for WVU Potomac State College

Hello!

The Alumni Association has taken over President Wallace’s Op-Ed for August and we have a lot to share.

It’s been a busy summer for the Potomac State College Alumni Association Board of Directors.

West Virginia University Potomac State College (PSC) Alumnus Carl Dennison “Denny” Avers has a long and inspiring history with Potomac State College. The Keyser, W.Va. native attended Potomac State from 1959 to 1961 before earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering at the WVU Morgantown campus. 

West Virginia University Potomac State College Green Team members (l-r) Agriculture Professor Donna Ballard, Chemistry Professor Josh Carder, and Biology Instructor Farren Smith stand in front of the Certified Wildlife Habitat Native Flower Garden on the hillside near Science Hall on the PSC campus. The Wildlife Habitat was a collaborative effort between students and faculty.   

The Potomac State Green Team (PSGT) is pleased to announce the establishment of a Certified Wildlife Habitat Native Flower Garden on the campus of West Virginia University Potomac State College.

Brandon Liller (right), a non-traditional, first-generation college student was asked by WVU Potomac State College President Dr. Jerry Wallace (left) to serve as the keynote speaker during the 2025 Commencement Ceremony earlier this spring.

There’s a saying, “A picture is worth a thousand words” which is exactly what this picture depicts, but to learn about each stroke life has painted for Brandon Liller, you’ll need a little background information, but instead of starting at the beginning, let’s begin in the middle.

Catamounts Climb Higher award recipients are recognized for their ability to bounce back despite encountering obstacles, for overcoming challenges, and for staying the course – and May’s recipient, Debra Wood, has faced and overcome many challenges.

“As a first-generation college student at the age of 61, my journey has been filled with numerous challenges and triumphs. My majors in mental health and addictions studies, and pre-social work have provided me with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. My volunteer work has been a cornerstone of my personal and professional growth. I have had the privilege of volunteering at Loving Hands Outreach Ministry, HopeFest, and collaborating with other organizations in the community to raise awareness about mental health and addiction,” Wood said.

The Betty T. Livengood Teacher Education Scholarship at West Virginia University Potomac State College was initiated and established in 1993 by friends and colleagues wishing to acknowledge her lifelong commitment to education and her love of teaching.

This historic scholarship has now been formally recognized by the WVU Foundation as an established scholarship, supported by the Livengood family’s commitment to ensure it continues in perpetuity.

West Virginia University Potomac State College (PSC) recently awarded scholarships to numerous Keyser High School students as they embark upon continuing their education at PSC. Dr. Megan Webb, who serves as the Director of Development at the College, presented students with the following two scholarships .

The Dulin Memorial Scholarship, made possible by George K. Oss and his wife Joann, in memory of George’s beloved grandmother, Cora A. Dulin, was presented to Keyser High School (KHS) student, Malachi Green, in recognition of his achievements, leadership, and dedication.

WVU Potomac State College is out for summer, but the campus is still busy with camps, community events and upgrades. For this month op-ed, I asked PSC Athletic Director to highlight the amazing season our PSC softball team and coaches had this year. 

The WVU Potomac State Softball team is no stranger to success and 2025 was certainly a season to remember. Potomac State has now won nine Region 20 Championships since 2015, with eight trips to the NJCAA Softball World Series. This year under first year Head Coach, Chris Greise, the Catamounts also saw PSC records broken in several categories. Their 39-6 season becomes the 3rd top season in school history. Their team batting average of .445 becomes the highest in program history and the “bomb squad” also crushed the former standing records of 507 hits and 89 homeruns by recording an impressive 528 hits and 107 homeruns. The team also had a .521 on base percentage and a .829 slugging percentage.  They finished the 2025 season ranked 1st in the NJCAA in Division II softball for batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. 

Every spring, students, faculty, staff, and alumni at West Virginia University Potomac State College are recognized by their peers, professors, and alumni. The College recently recognized former Professor Fred Jacoby with the inscription of his name on the Duke Anthony Whitmore/Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Academic Achievement Wall.